Diplomatic Children’s Parties
Gallery
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First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson, greet guests at a concert on November 19, 1962. The first lady invited the children of diplomats, Cabinet members, and State Department officials living in Washington, D.C. This was one of two “Musical Programs for Youth by Youth” Mrs. Kennedy hosted for diplomats’ children in 1962.
White House Historical Association -
Members of the Paul Winter Jazz Sextet perform during a concert hosted by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy for the children of diplomats, Cabinet members, and State Department officials on November 19, 1962. This was the first jazz performance to be featured in a concert at the White House. The concert also included a performance by Korean pianist Han Tong-il.
White House Historical Association -
Guests enjoy refreshments during a concert hosted by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy for the children of diplomats, Cabinet members, and State Department officials on November 19, 1962. Over 200 guests attended the concert.
White House Historical Association -
This black-and-white, silent film contains excerpts from a concert in the East Room hosted by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy for the children of diplomats, Cabinet members, and State Department officials on November 19, 1962. The video includes footage of Mrs. Kennedy’s arrival at the concert, performances by pianist Han Tong-il and the Paul Winter Jazz Sextet, White House staff serving refreshments in the State Dining Room, and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Luci Baines Johnson greeting guests in the Cross Hall.
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A musician from the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps lets a young guest use his drum during a party for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965.
White House Historical Association -
The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performs during a party for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965.
White House Historical Association -
Young guests admire a crèche in the East Room during a party for the children of diplomats on December 29, 1965.
White House Historical Association -
Students from the Washington School of Ballet perform the finale from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s "The Nutcracker" in the East Room during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Patricia Nixon for the children of diplomats on December 23, 1969.
White House Historical Association -
First Lady Patricia Nixon sits with an audience of children during a Christmas party she hosted for the children of diplomats on December 23, 1969. Approximately 400 children between the ages of four and eleven attended the party.
White House Historical Association -
Children journey across a festively decorated Cross Hall during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Patricia Nixon for the children of diplomats on December 23, 1969. Many of the children attended the party dressed in traditional attire from their native countries, and received balloons and balloon animals from clowns.
White House Historical Association -
Members of the White House residence staff including Eugene C. Allen (right, second row) serve refreshments in the State Dining Room during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Patricia Nixon for children of diplomats on December 23, 1969. The children were served punch, fruitcake, and a variety of Christmas cookies.
White House Historical Association -
This press release was prepared by the office of Constance Stuart, staff director to First Lady Patricia Nixon, to announce a Christmas party hosted by the first lady for children of diplomats on December 23, 1969. It provides information about the children who attended the party, as well as the students from the Washington School of Ballet who performed selections from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s "The Nutcracker."
Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library and Museum/NARA -
First Lady Betty Ford greets children in the East Room during a Christmas party she hosted for the children of diplomats on December 16, 1975. Approximately 463 children from 84 countries were invited to the party, where they enjoyed entertainment by television puppetry personalities Kukla, Fran, and Ollie, clowns from the Social Security Clown Club from the Baltimore Social Security Administration, and an appearance by Santa Claus.
White House Historical Association -
First Lady Betty Ford, Santa Claus, and Fran Allison wave to the children from the East Room stage during a Christmas party for the children of diplomats on December 16, 1975. Allison starred in “Kukla, Fran, and Ollie,” a popular American children's television show that aired from 1947 to 1957. Puppets Kukla and Ollie can be seen in the puppet theater in the background. Santa Claus was portrayed by Bill Nicholson, director of presidential scheduling at the White House.
White House Historical Association -
Clowns from the Social Security Clown Club from the Baltimore Social Security Administration greet children as they admire the official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Betty Ford for the children of diplomats on December 16, 1975.
White House Historical Association -
This schedule was prepared by Pat Howard and the Office of the First Lady of the United States for First Lady Betty Ford ahead of a Christmas party for children of diplomats held on the afternoon of December 16, 1975. It outlines the first lady's anticipated activities and provides background information on the party's entertainers, attendees, and organizers.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum/NARA -
Members of the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe perform “The Littlest Clown” during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter for children of diplomats on December 14, 1977. The Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, a family theater company based in New York City, was founded by Judith Ann Abrams in 1965.
White House Historical Association -
First Lady Rosalynn Carter and her daughter, Amy, applaud with an audience of over 400 children and a clown during a Christmas party for children of diplomats on December 14, 1977.
White House Historical Association -
Amy Carter, daughter of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, shakes hands with distinguished actress Helen Hayes during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter for children of diplomats on December 14, 1977. During a performance of “The Littlest Clown" by the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, Amy Carter was invited up to the East Room stage and dressed as a clown. Hayes, a board member of the Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe, narrated the production.
White House Historical Association -
First Lady Nancy Reagan poses with her young guests and the White House Gingerbread House during a Christmas party for the children of diplomats on December 14, 1981. Approximately 375 children between the ages of six and eleven attended the party. The German A-Frame gingerbread house was designed by sous-chef Hans Raffert, who also created the first White House Gingerbread House in 1969 for First Lady Patricia Nixon.
White House Historical Association -
NBC "Today" show weatherman Willard Scott, dressed as Santa Claus, introduces child actor Emmanuel Lewis during a Christmas party in the East Room hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan for the children of diplomats on December 9, 1985. Lewis played the title character in the American television sitcom "Webster" from 1983-1989. In this photograph, Mrs. Reagan and social secretary Linda Faulkner can be seen seated among the children in the audience.
White House Historical Association -
Costumed Cabbage Patch Kids characters greet excited children in the State Dining Room during a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan for the children of diplomats on December 9, 1985. One of the most popular children's toys of the 1980s, Cabbage Patch Kids dolls were mass produced in the United States for the 1983 holiday season. By 1985, the Cabbage Patch Kids franchise had expanded to include an animated Christmas special and a breakfast cereal.
White House Historical Association -
This video shows excerpts from the entertainment portion of a Christmas party hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan for children of diplomats on December 14, 1987. The event featured entertainment by "ALF," the titular character performed by puppeteer Paul Fusco on an American television comedy series that aired on NBC from 1986-1990. This video includes remarks by First Lady Nancy Reagan, as well as performances by "ALF" and "Santa Claus," portrayed by NBC "Today" show weatherman Willard Scott.